Rat Infestation Taking Over New York City According to reports, rat sightings soared nearly 38% in 2018 in comparison to 2014. 17,353 rat sightings were reported in 2018, and the number of city health inspections that found active signs of rats nearly doubled to 30,874. Gentrification is sited as a main cause of the growing number of rats, as construction is forcing more rats into the open. Climate change also plays a role, as the milder winters makes it easier for rats to survive and reproduce. However, the biggest factor is the city's trash collection, as bags are left curbside for hours, making them easily accessible to rats. In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a $32 million plan to increase litter basket pickups and deploy rat-resistant steel cans. Although the plan saw fleeting success, deputy Mayor of Operations Laura Anglin said the city is still actively taking action against the infestation. Laura Anglin, via New York Times The top areas for rat sighting complaints are the Upper West Side, Prospect Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick.
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